TEAM NEWS: Song left out as Pedro and Cesc start for Barca in Clasico clash

By Charlie Scott

The Catalan giants include the Brazilian defender in their lineup for this evening's Clasico match, as the club makes do without the injured pair of Gerard Pique and Carlos Puyol.

Adriano starts in defense for Barcelona against Real Madrid, after Gerard Pique failed to prove his fitness to boss Tito Vilanova ahead of this evening's Clasico.

The 25-year-old Spain international picked up an ankle injury against Spartak Moscow on Sept. 19, and despite completing training with the rest of the first team yesterday, was deemed unfit to be involved tonight by Vilanova.

Elsewhere the Catalan team lines up as expected, with Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Busquets and Xavi completing a midfield three and Andres Iniesta and Pedro operating either side of Lionel Messi up front.

Iniesta starts his first match since Sept. 12, after picking up an adductor muscle injury while on international duty nearly a month ago.

While Vilanova has had to shuffle his squad, with Pique, Carlos Puyol, Eric Abidal, Isaac Cuenca and Thiago Alcantara all on the sidelines, Madrid comes into the match with a full set of players at coach Jose Mourinho's disposal.

The debate surrounding who would start out of Mesut Ozil, Luka Modric and Kaka in attacking midfield has been resolved, with Los Blancos' Portuguese trainer opting to play Ozil alongside Angel Di Maria and Cristiano Ronaldo in an attacking three supporting lone striker Karim Benzema.